Considered the “bottom of the world” by most, Antarctica is often perceived as a barren, desolate tundra where there is little to no possibility of sustaining life. Being the “coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth,” one could easily imagine living on the Antarctic continent being near impossible (CIA 2018). However, the opposite can be found true of the southernmost continent. Antarctica boasts around 75 active research stations around the continent to support hundreds to thousands of researchers and support staff for both year-round and austral summer seasons (Dag Jølle n.d.). Most permanent research stations and huts established by various countries around the globe are built on top of barren rock, due to majority of the continent …show more content…
being covered by continental glaciers. While economic activity is limited to the costs of scientific research, there are a small numbers of commercial fishing operations that utilize the Southern Ocean surrounding the continent (CIA 2018). Antarctica is a desirable place for scientific research due to its extremely clean air and lack of background radiation, making astrophysical research significantly easier when compared to other potential locations (CIA 2018).
Yet, it is extremely difficult to support and build the necessary structures for safe living in the unforgiving Antarctic. Most building that occurs on the continent is done with a ‘take-what-you-can-get’ attitude. As depicted in the image from the Earth from Above series, the buildings of McMurdo demonstrate how infrastructure of Antarctica is. Makeshift ‘streets’ of volcanic ash are found between buildings and almost all available space within the valley is being utilized, all while the Transantarctic Mountains are found contrasting in the background—reminding those at the station the dangers that lie toward interior of the continent. A commonality between most buildings in the McMurdo base is they are built within areas that are most stable, with the smallest variability or change to their environment. As detailed earlier, most of Antarctica is a continental ice sheet; which is prone to movement. Additionally, movement (more specifically driving) causes disturbances of both the volcanic ash from the island McMurdo is situated on and the “matrix of ice” (Madrigal 2017); which can lead to changes to the area’s topography which can become dangerous to the structures around the
base. While in most other areas on Earth, humans are found to play the more profound role of impacting the surrounding environment, Antarctica may be a rare example of the opposite. The Antarctic environment is a large variable in determining the ability of humans to live and interact on the continent. Overall, human effects to Antarctica and especially McMurdo has been suppressed due to the scientific and conservation nature of humans being on Antarctica. However, the minor impact that humans have had on the continent’s landscape is contamination of soil around research bases due to discharging waste and sewage, along with the operation of motor vehicles and equipment on the volcanic soils (Australian Antarctic Division 2012). This waste scenario is an unavoidable situation for logistical standards, as it is expensive and can sometimes be impossible to get the correct equipment to McMurdo for the appropriate collection and removal of waste from the base. Almost appearing in systematic pattern, the structures of McMurdo are strategically placed and organized in a specific way to not only protect the natural environment of Antarctica, but to best endure the harsh conditions of Antarctica’s climate and weather. While meticulously designed to tolerate some of the toughest weather conditions, structures constructed for the Antarctic environment are often in need of repair for safe function. The National Science Foundation, the overseeing body for the American McMurdo station, estimates that to keep the station in functioning order, a hefty over one hundred million dollars is needed for necessary repairs (Gillis and Corum 2017); further demonstrating the dire impact that Antarctica has on both the people and the infrastructure.
Swimming to Antarctica, by Lynne Cox, is about Lynne’s adventure to become a great long distance swimmer. Lynne started as a slow swimmer. During practice, she never rested for each instruction the coach gives. She later found out that she wanted to be a long distance swimmer. Her coach told her to join a race on a lake. She went and she loved to swim in the open waters. She then went to a different program that trained her to swim in the open waters.
The site visited on this day was informally known as the Bedrock Knob (NTS grid reference: 120 342). It is in an area where patches of limestone and exposed bedrock are common. The bedrock is part of the Preca...
Isolation, loneliness, desertion-these synonymous attributes describe the scene of Antarctica. White blankets of ice and snow laid as far as the eye can see, with nothing else in sight. “Antarctica was a desert...Much of it was was still unexplored. There were no cities.” (pg 301). Although the term desert completely contradicts Antarctica, Laura Van Den
When taking a quick look at the two expeditions, one led by Ernest Shackleton to Antarctica and the other led by Arlene Blum to climb Annapurna, a quick summation can be made that Blum succeeded in her expedition and Shackleton failed. But this is a shallow view, not considering the nuances and actual experiences of the trips. Ernest Shackleton set out with his crew in 1915 to be the first expedition to cross Antarctica, but in fact, he never set foot on the continent. While failing at his initial goal, he was a highly successful leader and kept his 28 men safe for close to two years, while they were trapped on the ice floe and then, after the ice gave way, when they were paddling hundreds of miles across open seas in small, wooden lifeboats. He then completed the treacherous journey across South Georgia Island to reach a town and resources necessary to rescue his other men. All of his men were rescued alive and safe and all were able to return home to their families. In comparison, Arlene Blum set out from the United States in 1978 with 9 of her teammates as the American Women's Himalayan Expedition – the first all-woman group to attempt to climb Annapurna. Though their expedition was too often hazardous, it didn’t have the same level of urgency, because at any point during their climb, the group was at liberty to descend. Blum struggled with her role as the leader of this group of highly independent women. She too often hesitated and showed her lack of confidence, which in turn led to many problems within the group and with the hired Sherpas. On October 15th, 1978, two members of the expedition, along with two Sherpas, reached the summit of Annapurna, fulfilling the goal of the group. However, two days later, on Octobe...
Recent studies based on satellite monitoring by NASA reveals that melting ice from both the poles has been responsible for a fifth of the global rising sea levels since 1992 (11 mm). Antarctica and Greenland are now contributing three times as much ice to sea levels as they were 20 years ago. Although the Greenland ice sheet is only about...
In 1914, a great leader began a great expedition, unbeknownst to him that instead of being known as great explorers, they would be known as some of the greatest survivors. This man was Sir Ernest Shackelton and he was determined to be the first to cross the Antarctic. Little did he know, his biggest challenge would end up being his ability to lead his team to survival. He also had no idea that their tale of strength, determination, and courage to survive would influence people well into the 21st century, and the book detailing their stories would be used as a model of leadership. As our group read this book, it was evident that Shackleton was a truly motivated and successful leader as we have come to understand him to be.
The Arctic Tundra The Tundra is located in the northern regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. as well as a few regions of Antarctica. The Tundra is the second largest vegetation. zone in Canada. It can be divided into three different sections: the High Arctic Tundra, the Low Arctic Tundra and the Alpine Tundra.
The ice caps are the most extreme climates on earth. They are located at the north and south poles. These poles are
To many outsiders the Arctic is pictured as a deserted, blank piece of land with no life. Little did they know that the Arctic Region is actually inhabited by many native Alaskan groups, and that still to this day continue practicing their subsistence lifestyle. Native Alaskan groups such as the Gwich'in Indians, Inupiat Eskimos, Yup'ik and Aleut still depend on the geographic features of the Arctic. For not only their subsistence lifestyle, but also the preservation of their culture.
Amos, Jonathan. “Deep Ice tells Long Climate Story.” BBC News. BBC News. 9/4/2006. Web. 4 Apr. 2014.
As the world becomes continually warmer, the effect of climate change in the arctic regions becomes more intense. Within the past 50 years, arctic regions in Canada have experienced warming of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). One of the most important areas in the Canadian arctic is the Cryosphere (Appendix A), which is the area consisting of season snow cover, permafrost glaciers, and sea ice (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). This area is significant because it has provided a stabilized surface for building pipelines, as well as provides access to northern communities (Fergal & Prowse, 2007).
Orlove, Ben. "Glacier Retreat: Reviewing The Limits Of Human Adaptation To Climate Change." Environment 51.3 (2009): 22. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
It is an unquestioned fact that the climate is changing. There is abundant evidence that the world is becoming warmer and warmer. The temperature of the global land average temperature has increased by about 8.5 degrees centigrade from 1880 to 2012 (Karr, et al 406). The one or two degrees increase in temperature can cause dramatic and serious consequences to the earth as well as humans. More extreme weather occurs, such as heat waves and droughts. The Arctic Region is especially sensitive to global climate change. According to the data in recent decades, the temperature in the Arctic has increased by more than 2 degrees centigrade in the recent half century (Przybylak 316). Climate change has led to a series of environmental and ecological negative
Global warming is a serious problem with two major effects which are increasing in sea level and degradation of wild lives. Increase in sea level is affecting the entire landmass of the earth. According to NASA, the polar ice cap is melting at the alarming rate of nine percent per decade. Arctic ice thickness has decreased 40 percent since the 1960s (Oskin). The amount of water is more than the land in our planet. If this global warming continues at this pace, soon there will be no ground left on earth. The terrestrial animals will be exterminated from the earth if glo...